Listings

Roche Cove Park

The primordial temperate rainforest surrounding the unique sheltered cove provides a unique opportunity for solitude and harmony with nature. Hike along a cool creek at midday or paddle still waters in early morning light at this serene West Coast park.

Roche Cove and Roche Harbour in Sooke Basin are named for Richard Roche, 3rd Lieutenant on HMS Satellite, a British naval vessel stationed in Victoria from 1857-1860. Picnic at the protected cove after an easy walk from the parking area. The sand reveals little-neck clams and barnacles at low tide. At high tide, look for sea stars moving over broken shells in search of food. On the water, you might see migrating ducks, such as red-breasted mergansers, Barrow’s golden-eye or buffleheads.

The primordial temperate rainforest surrounding the unique sheltered cove provides a unique opportunity for solitude and harmony with nature. Hike along a cool creek at midday or paddle still waters in early morning light at this serene West Coast park.

Features

Serenity and seclusion on a mossy slope or by a quiet cove

Seven kilometres of trails through cedar forest and along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail

Roche Cove
Picnic at the protected cove after an easy walk from the parking area. The sand reveals little-neck clams and barnacles at low tide. At high tide, look for sea stars moving over broken shells in search of food. On the water, you might see migrating ducks, such as red-breasted mergansers, Barrow’s golden-eye or buffleheads.

Matheson Creek Trail
This trail follows the creek through a forest lush with bracken fern and a grove of western red cedars and connects to nearby Matheson Lake Regional Park. (Note: The trail may be impassable in winter.)

Cedar Grove Trail
For a more invigorating hike, try the Cedar Grove Trail.

Galloping Goose User-Friendly Trail
Roche Cove is an excellent starting point for a day outing on the popular Galloping Goose Regional Trail. For a short outing consider traveling from Roche Cove to Rocky Point Road, just under five kilometres one way. The Goose is a multi-use trail with a smooth gravel surface with less than 5% gradual slope. It offers ocean and lake views from various locations.

directions to:

Gillespie Road, Sooke, BC, Canada

Coastal Experiences

Make sure you experience these wild coast array of things to tempt and taunt the senses.

Whether you want to stay in a cozy bed & breakfast, cottage or inn, or upgrade to one of the many extraordinary resorts or vacation homes – we have it all. It’s easy to spend a relaxing or invigorating vacation here.

The West Coast Trail is a world renowned backpacking trail. Open from May 1st until September 30th, this gruelling 75 km (47 mi) trek is well worth the challenge for the breathtaking examples of the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Discover the raw beauty and uncharted nature of the CRD. From seasoned backpackers to amateur day hikers you can traverse up to the tallest peaks and back down to the rocky shores of the Juan de Fuca by hiking historical trails.

Our Coast has long been inspiration to all kinds of musicians, writers and painters. It is not hard to see why – take a walk through ancient forests with gnarled trees and green canopies, explore hidden creeks and spot eagles taking flight or bears ambling through the undergrowth.